Elijah Rice of St. Michael-Albertville High School has been selected by the
Minnesota Chapter of the Football National Football Foundation as one of this year’s Scholar Athletes.
The eight winners, chosen for academic excellence, leadership and community involvement, were recently recognized at the 9th Annual Minnesota Football Honors event at the Hilton Minneapolis.
Rice was voted the North Central District Blue Division’s most valuable defensive lineman this past fall. Playing on the line and also as a tight end, he was part of a state title, two additional state tournament appearances and a 325 record in his three varsity seasons. Rice started for two of those years and was a captain as a senior.. He was also a basketball and track and field athlete for the Knights.
Rice was named to the academic all state football team. He has earned Highest Honors every trimester of high school. Rice, a National Honor Society member, was chosen by staff to represent STMA at Minnesota Boys State. He plans to study accounting and finance at the University of St. Thomas.
Volunteering through youth sports, Rice has assisted in many capacities ranging from coaching and officiating to grounds crew work. He has served as a Red Cross blood drive organizer, tutored other students, helped emphasize a chemical-free message at school and fund raised for causes including cystic fibrosis and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Rice has given time to AdoptaHighway, a local senior home and more. Elijah’s parents are Steve and Carla.
The 9th Annual Minnesota Football Honors event is presented by the Minnesota Vikings. College and professional football Hall of Fame inductees attended, and WCCOTV news personality Frank Vascellaro returned for his ninth year as Master of Ceremonies.
For additional information about this year’s Minnesota Football Honors, visit www.minnesotafootballhonors.com.